Show-case



(N0 Model.)

I'. PVOALLARD` 2 Sheen-sheet 1 SHOW CASE.

No. 580,648. Patented Apr. l 3, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK POLLARD, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

S HOW-CAS E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,648, dated April 13, 1897.

Application filed January 19, 1897. Serial No. 619.834. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK POLLARD, of Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Show-Cases; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in show-cases, more especially to cases designed for use in exhibiting umbrellas and canes.

The object of my invention is to provide the case at the top with a vertically-tilting hinged lid or cover, and to provide means for counterbalancing the weight of said lid, and to employ such an improved construction and arrangement of parts that the counterbalance and the cord or cable instrumental in conw necting said counterbalance with the lid shall be invisible from the forward side, ends, and top of the case.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is an end elevation, partly in section, of a showcase embodying my invention. Fig. His a top plan of a portion of a frame H2hereinafter referred to. Fig. III is a rear side elevation of the case, and portions are broken away and in section in this figure to more clearly show the construction. Fig. IV is an elevation, partly in section, showing one of the rods that depend from and are horizontally pivoted to the cases top or lidand showing also the cord or cable instrumental in operativelyconnecting said rod with the counterbalance. Fig. V is a vertical section on line V V, Fig. IV, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the bottom of the show-case, and B the back of the case, whichback is constructed', preferably, of wood.

b represents the chamber within the lower portion of said back. 4

C designates the hinged top or lid of the case, which cover is horizontally hinged at its rear end, as at C', to the upper end of back B. Said cover at its forward end rests in its closed position upon the upper end of the front wall D of the cabinet. The front wall D, the two end walls E E, and the lid C are composed in the main, preferably, of glass.

Two upright rods G G are horizontally pivoted at their upper ends, as at g, to the under side of opposite ends, respectively, of the lid and centrally between forward and rearward extremities of the lid. Said rods depend from the lid, and in the latters closed position extend to near the bottom of the case. Each of rods G extends through a vertical slot 7L, formed in a tubular bar H, arranged horizontally of the case about ornearly midway between the bottom and top of the case. Two bars H H are therefore suitably supported at opposite ends, respectively, of and within the case.

Each rod G at its rear side is provided with a groove G', that extends from the rods lower end upwardly far enough to have the groove extend to the upper side or above the adjacent tubular bar I-I in the closed position of the cases lid. A cord, rope, or cable I engages said groove and is fixed to the rod at or near the latters lower end, as at I'. Said cord or cable extends upwardly from its` point of attachment to the rod to and over a vertically-arranged guide-sheave I2, supported from and between two lugs or flanges H' H', formed upon and depending from said bar H at opposite sides, respectively, of the grooved rod. From sheave l2 the cord or cable leads rearwardly within the tubular bar H to and over a vertically-arranged guide-sheave I3, suitably supported from-and within back B, and thence extends downwardly to the counterbalance J, to which it is attached at I4 in any approved manner.

Counterbalance J extends, preferably,from end to end of the cases back, and the two cords or cables that connect said weight with the different depending rods G G, respectively, are attached, preferably, to opposite ends, respectively, of the weight. Any suitable number of springs K are preferably provided Within the lower portion of chamber b of back B to afford a yieldingV seat for the counterbalance in the latters extreme lower position.

The location of ropes, cords, or cables I within grooves formed in the rear sides of rods G G and the extension of said cable through tubular bars from the point where they lead from said rods conceal them from the front side, ends, and top of the case, and

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the lugs or flanges H H,between which guidesheaves I2 are located, in connection with the location of said sheaves at the rear side of rods GGr, conceal said guide-sheaves from the front side, ends, and top of the case. The counterbalance and guide-sheaves I3 are concealed within the back of the case. It will be observed, therefore, that said weight, guide-sheaves, and cords or cables are effectually and desirably rendered invisible to persons inspecting the articles or merchandise placed on exhibition within the case.

If the case is used for exhibiting umbrellas and canes, bars H H participate, preferably, in the formation of a frame H2, a portion of which is shown in Fig. II, that is provided with vertical holes h2, through which the4 canes or umbrellas are introduced into they lower portion of the case, and of course in this instance said frame should be located when the latter are placed within the case,

shall project above the frame.

The operation of the mechanism that operatively connects the counterbalance with the hinged top or lid will be readily understood. It is obvious that said counterbalance will hold the lid in any position between the lids closed position and the lids extreme open position. The slots hin bars H are long enough to accommodate the slight rearward tilt of rods G G in the open position of the lid. In dotted lines, Fig. I, the lid is shown tilted upwardly or open.

Bars H H, or the frame of which they may form a part, are supported at their rear ends from back B in any approved manner, and at their forward ends are suitably supported from legs H3, that are stationed in any approved manner within the forward side of the case.

I would have it understood that my invention involves, broadly, one or more depending rods G, a corresponding number of bars H, extending rearwardly from said rods to the hollow back and having downwardlyfacing surfaces, a counterbalance within the chamber of the back, and.. suitably-guided ropes, cords, or cables operatively connected with the counterbalance and extending along the aforesaid downwardly-facing surfaces to and operatively connected with the aforesaid rods.

What I claim is- 1 l. A show-case of the character indicated, having a chambered back; a vertically-tiltable top or lid; a rod or rods depending from and pivotally connected to the lid; a bar or bars extending rearwardly of said rod or rods to theaforesaid back and having downwardlyfacing surfaces, a counterbalance movable up and down within the chamber of the back,

and a suitably-guided flexible connection or connections between the counterbalance and the aforesaid rod or rods and extending along the downwardly-facing surface or surfaces of the aforesaid bars, substantially as set forth.

2. A show-case of the character indicated, having a chambered back; a vertically-tiltable top or lid; a rod or rods depending from and horizontally pivoted to the lid and extending into the lower portion of the case in the lids closed position; tubular `or hollow bars extending forwardly and rearwardly of the case and rearwardly of the aforesaid depending rods; a counterbalance movable up and down Within the chamber of the back, and suitably-guided ropes or cables attached at one end, to the counterbalance, thence leading to and within the aforesaid hollow bars to the rear sides of the depending rods, and thence downwardly along the rear sides of and secured to said rods, substantially as set forth.

3. A show-case of the character indicated, having a chambered back; a vertically-tiltable hinged top or lid; any suitable number of rods G depending from the lid and extending into the lower portion of the case in the lids closed position and having the rear sides of their lower portion provided with the grooves g; forwardly and rearwardly extending` hollow bars H arranged about midway between the top and bottom of the case and extending rearward of the aforesaid rods; a counterbalance movable up and down within the chamber of the back, and suitably-guided ropes, cords or cables attached, at one end, to the counterbalance, thence leading to and within the aforesaid hollow bars to the rear sides of the depending rods, and thence downwardly within the grooves in, and secured to, said rods, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A show-case of the character indicated, having a oharnbered back B; a vertically-tilt'- able hinged top or lid C; rods G depending from the lid and extending into the lower portion of the case in the lids closed position; the two hollow bars H extending forwardly and rearwardly about midway between the top and bottom of the case; the counterbalance .I movable up and down within the chamber of the back; the cords, ropes or cables I; the guide-sheaves I2 and I3, and the lugs or flanges H', all arranged and operating substantially as shown, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification, in the presence of two witnesses7 this 14th day of January, 1897.

FREDERICK POLLARD.

Witnesses:

C. H. DORER, ELLA E. TILDEN.

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